#Silence #falls #Red #Miners #Jamshedpur #pulls #plug #ISL #journey">Silence falls on Red Miners as Jamshedpur FC pulls the plug on its ISL journey
There is a particular silence that falls over a club when it shuts down. Not the managers’ howling instructions or even the players weeping into their kits. It’s the quiet folding of spreadsheets, a refusal to pay a participation fee and a conglomerate deciding that Rs. 55 lakh is too much for the privileged for pretending to care.
And just like that, Jamshedpur FC, the steel city’s improbable footnote to the Indian Super League (ISL), wrapped up its senior team operations before the 2026-27 season, folded like a shirt no longer needed into the cupboard of Tata’s sprawling empire.
That is the reality of corporate football: when the romance wanes, assets become foldable liabilities.
This was a club that was competing for the title until the final matchday last season, which had an actual stadium that it owned, and prided of a genuine, effective pipeline for talent. When the footballing world was busy balancing books during the pandemic, the club actually made profits (Rs. 2 Cr.) in the 2019-20 season, and yet on July 31, 2026, it decided that the league, and its senior first team, was not worth the candle anymore.
“It took a lot of the members of the club aback, and it was informed in a grim breath in the evening. Naturally, most of the contingent was visibly shocked, rather disappointed,” a source told Sportstar.
Jamshedpur FC had an actual stadium that it owned, and prided of a genuine, effective pipeline for talent.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Jamshedpur FC had an actual stadium that it owned, and prided of a genuine, effective pipeline for talent.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The Tata Group has not provided an explanation for the decision. But it comes against the backdrop of the prolonged decline of Indian football in the last few years, which has had a domino effect on the men’s topflight. The men’s team’s FIFA rankings have plummeted, the league’s commercial value shrank by 97 per cent last season, and four ISL clubs have either shut down or shifted base.
ISL Clubs which have shut down or have been rebranded:
Pune City FC
Atletico de Kolkata
Delhi Dynamos
Hyderabad FC
Jamshedpur FC
Reliance, the initial commercial partner, is gone. The City Football Group abandoned Mumbai City’s ship last season, and now Tata, gently, has shown itself out.
In the last two years, the Tata-owned club lost about Rs. 11 Crore, while its Central Rights income collapsed from Rs. 21.24 crore to Rs. 32 Lakhs – a fall of nearly 99 per cent. As a result, its deficit in football operations tripled, from Rs. 1 Crore in the 2024-25 season to Rs. 2.8 Crore in the 2025-26 season.
Capital fuels growth, and that in turn drives football, and that goes on in cycles.
The most promising trend for Jamshedpur FC, in the last two years, was grassroots development, player transfers and training compensation (providing facilities for player training). And the conglomerate, as they usually do, got its blue-eyed boy here – the kids.
“JFSPL (Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited) remains committed, in other capacities, to the continued growth and development of football in India. We will continue in our endeavour to promote and develop the game of football, including at the grassroots level,” the club said in its statement.
The decision also pushed players into choppy waters. Players, some of whom were chiselled at the storied Tata Football Academy (TFA), will now be expected to run from pillar to post late in the summer window for a new team when most teams already have their squads chalked out.
But the real victims of the decision will not be the professionals. Footballers are mercenaries by profession: they will find another jersey to don, another bench to warm.
The tragedy will lie with the fans – people who built a community organically, named it the Red Miners, and rallied behind the team no matter how it played. The roar at the JRD Stadium when a TFA product scored meant something, everything, and that is what will no longer be heard.
The ones who gave free treats when Jamshedpur won, to the ones who quietly bought season tickets, the silence will now haunt them, leaving them wondering if this was just part of an elaborate, expensive dream.
The tragedy will lie with the fans – people who built a community organically, named it the Red Miners, and rallied behind the team no matter how it played.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The tragedy will lie with the fans – people who built a community organically, named it the Red Miners, and rallied behind the team no matter how it played.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The Tata group showed that Jamshedpur FC, in the ISL, had always been a product rather than a community club, and when a product wears out, it is sold in parts, just like its ball bearings and wires.
Punjab maintained control thereafter, pressing high and limiting Inter Kashi’s opportunities. Pramveer and Bijoy V. were effective defensively, cutting out passing lanes and halting counter-attacks.
The third goal came in the 72nd minute. Substitute Leon Augustine drove forward from the left and found Osuji, who turned inside the box and struck into the top corner.
Punjab managed the closing stages comfortably, maintaining shape at the back. Inter Kashi struggled to create clear chances, resorting to long balls that were dealt with by the defence.
Punjab nearly added a fourth in stoppage time, with Vinit Rai hitting the woodwork, while Ranjeet Singh Pandre was denied in a one-on-one.
Punjab FC secured a 3-0 win to stay within reach of the top half, while Inter Kashi will look to regroup after a performance where it struggled to convert chances.
Punjab maintained control thereafter, pressing high and limiting Inter Kashi’s opportunities. Pramveer and Bijoy V. were effective defensively, cutting out passing lanes and halting counter-attacks.
The third goal came in the 72nd minute. Substitute Leon Augustine drove forward from the left and found Osuji, who turned inside the box and struck into the top corner.
Punjab managed the closing stages comfortably, maintaining shape at the back. Inter Kashi struggled to create clear chances, resorting to long balls that were dealt with by the defence.
Punjab nearly added a fourth in stoppage time, with Vinit Rai hitting the woodwork, while Ranjeet Singh Pandre was denied in a one-on-one.
Punjab FC secured a 3-0 win to stay within reach of the top half, while Inter Kashi will look to regroup after a performance where it struggled to convert chances.
Published on Apr 20, 2026
#ISL #Clinical #Punjab #cruise #Inter #Kashi">ISL 2025-26: Clinical Punjab cruise past Inter Kashi 3-0
Punjab FC beat Inter Kashi 3-0 in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
Samir Zeljković, Effiong Nsungusi Jr and Bede Osuji scored for the Shers as they moved to 14 points from eight matches, consolidating seventh place. Inter Kashi remained eighth with 11 points from nine matches. Zeljković was named Player of the Match.
Punjab started on the front foot, with Bede Osuji central to its attacking play. Twice in the opening ten minutes, Osuji’s backheel flicks released Dani Ramírez inside the box, but Inter Kashi goalkeeper Lluis Tarrés reacted well to deny the Spaniard.
The host controlled possession, with Manglenthang Kipgen dictating play from midfield, while Nsungusi Jr and Osuji troubled the Inter Kashi defence. Inter Kashi threatened intermittently, with Tomba Singh and Narender Gahlot going close from set-pieces.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute. Pramveer Singh won possession near halfway and initiated an attack down the left, finding Osuji, who combined with Nsungusi Jr inside the box. After a brief tussle, Nsungusi regained control and squared the ball to Zeljković, who finished with his right foot.
Inter Kashi attempted to respond before the break, with Alfred Planas and Sergio Llamas combining well, but Arshdeep Singh ensured Punjab carried its lead into half-time.
Punjab doubled its lead in the 51st minute after a midfield error. Ramírez drove into the box from the left and cut the ball back to Nsungusi Jr, who finished from close range.
Punjab maintained control thereafter, pressing high and limiting Inter Kashi’s opportunities. Pramveer and Bijoy V. were effective defensively, cutting out passing lanes and halting counter-attacks.
The third goal came in the 72nd minute. Substitute Leon Augustine drove forward from the left and found Osuji, who turned inside the box and struck into the top corner.
Punjab managed the closing stages comfortably, maintaining shape at the back. Inter Kashi struggled to create clear chances, resorting to long balls that were dealt with by the defence.
Punjab nearly added a fourth in stoppage time, with Vinit Rai hitting the woodwork, while Ranjeet Singh Pandre was denied in a one-on-one.
Punjab FC secured a 3-0 win to stay within reach of the top half, while Inter Kashi will look to regroup after a performance where it struggled to convert chances.
Published on Apr 20, 2026
#ISL #Clinical #Punjab #cruise #Inter #Kashi
Punjab FC beat Inter Kashi 3-0 in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal…
And Coyle, who is back in India as the coach of Jamshedpur FC, reminds one that he is qualified to speak about it. “I was born in Scotland of Irish parents but grew up in Ireland, which I was able to represent in international football,” he told Sportstar.
“My dad left Donegal in Ireland to go to Scotland for work. My point is that if an Indian couple from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata leave the country and they go to Manchester and they have a child, that child is not any less Indian because he’s born in Manchester: he is as Indian as any. The diaspora of India all over the world is incredible, so there should be plenty of footballing talents available.”
He feels India has the potential to do much better in international football and that the ISL has got a lot of things right. “What I can say from my experience is that when I came to India, the stadiums, the playing fields have been of a very high standard,” says Coyle, whose first assignment in India was with Chennaiyin FC, which he took to the ISL final from the bottom of the table in 2019-20. “What we want to do is to encourage more fans to come. I was in Chennai with 11 million people, and you want fans coming to the stadium to support the team.”
Coyle, who has experienced the joy of getting promoted to the Premier League both as coach and player (with Bolton Wanderers and Burnley respectively), wishes the Indians were more loyal. “I think in India, there is an element, maybe not with all the teams, but there is this element that fans support their team when they’re winning,” he says. “That should change.”
And Coyle, who is back in India as the coach of Jamshedpur FC, reminds one that he is qualified to speak about it. “I was born in Scotland of Irish parents but grew up in Ireland, which I was able to represent in international football,” he told Sportstar.
“My dad left Donegal in Ireland to go to Scotland for work. My point is that if an Indian couple from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata leave the country and they go to Manchester and they have a child, that child is not any less Indian because he’s born in Manchester: he is as Indian as any. The diaspora of India all over the world is incredible, so there should be plenty of footballing talents available.”
He feels India has the potential to do much better in international football and that the ISL has got a lot of things right. “What I can say from my experience is that when I came to India, the stadiums, the playing fields have been of a very high standard,” says Coyle, whose first assignment in India was with Chennaiyin FC, which he took to the ISL final from the bottom of the table in 2019-20. “What we want to do is to encourage more fans to come. I was in Chennai with 11 million people, and you want fans coming to the stadium to support the team.”
Coyle, who has experienced the joy of getting promoted to the Premier League both as coach and player (with Bolton Wanderers and Burnley respectively), wishes the Indians were more loyal. “I think in India, there is an element, maybe not with all the teams, but there is this element that fans support their team when they’re winning,” he says. “That should change.”
Published on Apr 20, 2026
#Owen #Coyle #India #talents #overseas #Ryan #Williams">Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from overseas like Ryan Williams
Ryan Williams’ goal in the AFC Cup Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong China here three weeks ago was perhaps the brightest spot in a season of gloom for Indian football. The inclusion of the Australian born striker to the Indian team is, in fact, the best thing to have happened for Indian football for a long time.
That should open the door for more players like Williams, raised overseas but eligible to represent India. Owen Coyle, the widely respected coach with vast experience in India and a former striker who has played in the English Premier League and for Ireland, believes India should look out for such talents from overseas.
And Coyle, who is back in India as the coach of Jamshedpur FC, reminds one that he is qualified to speak about it. “I was born in Scotland of Irish parents but grew up in Ireland, which I was able to represent in international football,” he told Sportstar.
“My dad left Donegal in Ireland to go to Scotland for work. My point is that if an Indian couple from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata leave the country and they go to Manchester and they have a child, that child is not any less Indian because he’s born in Manchester: he is as Indian as any. The diaspora of India all over the world is incredible, so there should be plenty of footballing talents available.”
He feels India has the potential to do much better in international football and that the ISL has got a lot of things right. “What I can say from my experience is that when I came to India, the stadiums, the playing fields have been of a very high standard,” says Coyle, whose first assignment in India was with Chennaiyin FC, which he took to the ISL final from the bottom of the table in 2019-20. “What we want to do is to encourage more fans to come. I was in Chennai with 11 million people, and you want fans coming to the stadium to support the team.”
Coyle, who has experienced the joy of getting promoted to the Premier League both as coach and player (with Bolton Wanderers and Burnley respectively), wishes the Indians were more loyal. “I think in India, there is an element, maybe not with all the teams, but there is this element that fans support their team when they’re winning,” he says. “That should change.”
The Red-and-Gold Brigade returns home to host Bengaluru FC on Thursday, a team it failed to beat in both meetings in the ISL last season. But Bruzon believes his side has the momentum to continue its run.
“We are going to compete with every club in India, trying to finish in the top positions. Let’s say that we are on the way to bring back those golden days of East Bengal,” Bruzon says with a smile.
He rolls his closed fist to look at his watch once more, this time at the team hotel, before heading off to rest, prepare and perhaps give East Bengal fans another reason to celebrate.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade returns home to host Bengaluru FC on Thursday, a team it failed to beat in both meetings in the ISL last season. But Bruzon believes his side has the momentum to continue its run.
“We are going to compete with every club in India, trying to finish in the top positions. Let’s say that we are on the way to bring back those golden days of East Bengal,” Bruzon says with a smile.
He rolls his closed fist to look at his watch once more, this time at the team hotel, before heading off to rest, prepare and perhaps give East Bengal fans another reason to celebrate.
Published on Apr 16, 2026
#clenched #fist #quiet #revolution #idea #East #Bengal #Oscar #Bruzon">A clenched fist, a quiet revolution — The idea of East Bengal under Oscar Bruzon
At full-time in Chennai, Oscar Bruzon barely showed any expression of joy. He clenched his fist, glanced at his watch and took a deep breath of relief. His team, Emami East Bengal, had just beaten two-time ISL champion Chennaiyin FC 3-1.
In 2024, when he took charge, East Bengal had six wins in its previous 20 games. After this victory, that number stands at 12. The Red-and-Gold Brigade, which had never finished in the top half of the Indian Super League, is now fourth on the table.
The man driving this transformation is Bruzon, a serious-looking figure who keeps his tactics close to his chest and bristles when the press probes too deeply into the dressing room.
“This is what my family, my father, especially asked me many times. When we win, I am relieved. When we lose, I’m already looking for the next game to come as soon as possible to rectify our problems,” Bruzon tells Sportstar after the game.
“In football, you need to control your emotions. Every five to seven days, you have a game. So, there is no time for being happy.”
From player to tactician
Bruzon’s caution stems from his formative years. The Spaniard began as a winger, marauding along the flanks and contributing in the final third before an injury pushed him deeper into midfield.
The flair of offence gave way to a quieter, more authoritative role in front of the backline as a defensive midfielder.
It was here that Bruzon, the manager, took shape, much like several defensive midfielders-turned-managers such as Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone.
“You are always watching the game from the back; you need leadership and energy. I can give you the example of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. He is not the best playmaker, not the fastest player, not the strongest, not the best in duels, but he’s the best at reading the situation,” Bruzon says.
Handling situations, and at times turning the tide, has been the central challenge wherever Bruzon has coached.
In the Maldives, he helped New Radiant win the domestic treble after three years and then turned Bashundhara Kings into a serial champion in Bangladesh, breaking the long-standing dominance of Abahani Dhaka.
East Bengal proved no different.
“When I came here, probably, the team was a bit imbalanced. We had injuries at the start of the season, and the confidence level of players was very low,” Bruzon says.
East Bengal is fourth in the ISL table, with four wins and one loss from seven games.
| Photo Credit:
East Bengal Media
East Bengal is fourth in the ISL table, with four wins and one loss from seven games.
| Photo Credit:
East Bengal Media
Bruzon’s first game as East Bengal coach saw him arrive the night before the Kolkata derby and watch his side lose to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. A defeat to Odisha followed.
“It’s not easy for a coach to be accepted when they were kind of supporting the former coach, a high-profile manager who did very good things in India. Even all the coaching staff were on his side. Many of the players were chosen by him. So for me, it was not easy,” he adds.
Building belief through chemistry
His first foothold came in the AFC Challenge League, a 2-2 draw against FC Paro of Bhutan that he describes as “the first big moment of help”.
East Bengal then lost just once in its next 10 matches.
“The team started to understand that there was a way forward. We got a good result there, and from there, things got easier,” he says.
For Bruzon, football extends beyond structure to relationships.
“In India, people like to talk a lot about formations and systems; it seems that without them, you can’t win games. I’m radically against this idea because a formation or system is only a reference for players to know where they need to be, to adjust,” he says.
“My approach to football is about relationships between players rather than systems. In one game, we can use five or six different setups, and that depends on the players on the pitch.
“Depending on their chemistry, their movement and what we need to do in that particular moment, we use one shape or another. Our defensive organisation is not the same as our attacking one,” he adds.
Oscar Bruzon during one of the practice sessions of East Bengal during the Indian Super League.
| Photo Credit:
East Bengal Media
Oscar Bruzon during one of the practice sessions of East Bengal during the Indian Super League.
| Photo Credit:
East Bengal Media
That cohesion is evident in the way the team dines, jokes and stays connected off the pitch. Bruzon, whose stern presence is visible on the touchline, moves between tables more like a father than a coach after matches.
“A coach, at times, has to be a psychologist. We have four players who were out with suspensions or injuries (for the match against Chennaiyin). I don’t want to mention the names, but when players do badly, they need love and confidence,” he says.
“We put a lot of effort into making our players feel like a team. Many people say, ‘We are a family.’ But it’s not a word, it’s an attitude. One of the things that we do is make a lot of rotations, giving a chance to everybody. When you have a full squad connected to the game, you can get the best from everyone.”
What is Bruzon ball?
Football, at its core, demands a philosophy. And for Bruzon, that was evident at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday: fluid structures, one-touch passing and clinical finishing.
“Possession-based football is a consequence of hard work, team chemistry and players understanding that we want to dominate matches. Last year, I could not implement this kind of idea,” Bruzon explains.
“We were using the system 4-4-2, only three lines, waiting more in the centre of the park with a mid-block, trying to win the ball and launch quicker counterattacks. This year, we wanted to be dominant and build from the back, and we have excellent players (for that), Anwar (Ali), Jeakson (Singh) and Kevin (Sibille), players who understand build-ups.”
In midfield, there is a balance between physical presence, like (Mohammad) Rashid, and Saúl (Crespo), who operates as a playmaker. Up front, the side has the flexibility to link play and form quick connections in tight spaces.
East Bengal heads into the BFC clash high on confidence after a 3-1 away win over Chennaiyin FC.
| Photo Credit:
East Bengal Media
East Bengal heads into the BFC clash high on confidence after a 3-1 away win over Chennaiyin FC.
| Photo Credit:
East Bengal Media
The result: East Bengal has scored the most goals in the league so far, including a 7-0 rout of Mohammedan Sporting, and has not lost a Kolkata derby in regulation time this season.
“East Bengal has a rich history of challenging for titles. So, we needed to step back from the previous seasons where things were not working. Today, fans of East Bengal are proud, at least, of the model that we are trying to use,” Bruzon adds.
But the Spaniard is careful not to get ahead of himself.
“I would like to be in the top six. Things are going well. Maybe we need to be more ambitious, and I understand that our fans don’t like to hear that this is not the title fight,” Bruzon says.
“I am not going to talk about that because I know where we have come from. We are just in the middle of the process. There is room for improvement.”
East Bengal FC put 7⃣ past Mohammedan SC to equal the biggest win in ISL history. 🔥
The Red-and-Gold Brigade returns home to host Bengaluru FC on Thursday, a team it failed to beat in both meetings in the ISL last season. But Bruzon believes his side has the momentum to continue its run.
“We are going to compete with every club in India, trying to finish in the top positions. Let’s say that we are on the way to bring back those golden days of East Bengal,” Bruzon says with a smile.
He rolls his closed fist to look at his watch once more, this time at the team hotel, before heading off to rest, prepare and perhaps give East Bengal fans another reason to celebrate.
#Kerala #Blasters #NorthEast #United #Ashley #Westwood #hopes #continue #pulling #KBFC #crisis">Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United — Ashley Westwood hopes to continue pulling KBFC out of crisis
Ashley Westwood is no stranger to Indian football.
He guided Bengaluru FC to the then top-flight title in his and the club’s first season in Indian professional football and won three trophies with the club, becoming a legend among its faithful.
Last month, the former Manchester United academy graduate returned to coaching duties in Indian football after four years, taking charge of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL).
“I was here from the start of the ISL when it was only a six-week league… and now it has developed into an eight to 10-month league. So, I’ve seen it all. It has had a tough time this last year. But like anything, it’s a work in progress, a process,” Westwood tells Sportstar in an exclusive interview.
Ashley Westwood’s success at Bengaluru FC wasn’t just about results, but two I-League titles and a Federation Cup gave it weight and permanence.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
Ashley Westwood’s success at Bengaluru FC wasn’t just about results, but two I-League titles and a Federation Cup gave it weight and permanence.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
Ashley Westwood’s record in Indian football:
Teams managed: Bengaluru FC, ATK, Punjab FC, Kerala Blasters
Total matches: 89
Wins: 46
Losses: 26
Draws: 17
Trophies: I-League x2 (2013-14, 2015-2016), Federation Cup (2014-15)
But unlike Bengaluru, he finds himself in a precarious position at Kerala Blasters.
The three-time ISL finalist has struggled for form this season, and with no wins in six matches, the Blasters parted ways with head coach David Catala, while their fan club, the Manjappada, boycotted matches citing mismanagement.
“Football is challenging anyway. Sometimes you get fortunate, and you go into a club mid-season because a coach has done well, and you take over a team at the top of the league, but that’s very rare,” Westwood says.
“Normally, if you go into a club halfway through a season, it’s because they’re not doing very well, because a manager has lost his job. Of course, with Bengaluru, it was a brand-new club. So, any challenge is good.”
Westwood opened his Blasters stint on a forgettable note, losing 0-2 to the newly formed Sporting Club Delhi. However, he found the perfect opportunity to respond against Bengaluru FC in the match that followed, which the Blasters won for their first victory of the season.
“I enjoy challenges. There’s lots of improvement to come, hopefully, and maybe we can do that. I’ve done it before in all the roles I’ve been in. So, I’m hoping to do the same again. Let’s see if we can keep improving things,” he says.
The Achilles heel of the Blue Tigers?
Team Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood (R) talks to Matthew Elliot Wing Kai Orr of Hong Kong (L) during the Asian Cup qualifier Group C match at Kai Tak Stadium on November 18, 2025, in Hong Kong, China.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Team Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood (R) talks to Matthew Elliot Wing Kai Orr of Hong Kong (L) during the Asian Cup qualifier Group C match at Kai Tak Stadium on November 18, 2025, in Hong Kong, China.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
There’s another side to Westwood beyond domestic football. He has managed two Asian sides, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Both pulled off significant upsets against India.
In 2024, India lost to Afghanistan on home soil for the second time ever, which turned out to be one of the last matches under coach Igor Stimac. A year later, Hong Kong beat India in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier. Manolo Marquez, who had stepped into Stimac’s shoes, parted ways shortly after.
So, is the Englishman a nemesis for India’s coaches?
“No, it’s certainly not a personal thing. Coincidence happens in football. With me, I try to win every game, whoever it is,” Westwood says.
“Predominantly, my record shows that I do win quite a few games, and unfortunately, a few of them have been against India. I don’t look at it as a scalp; I look at it as a game of football, and one that we won.”
It was no surprise that Westwood was among the names circulating in Indian football circles as a potential coach of the Blue Tigers, first after Stimac and then after Marquez.
“It’s (the question has) come around a lot of times. I’ve been close a lot of times. It hasn’t happened. I won’t comment on that particular job where they have a manager, of course,” he says. “But regardless of the job, I’ll concentrate on what I need to do, which is improve Kerala Blasters.”
Winds of change at Kerala Blasters
There have been signs of optimism in the Blasters camp since his arrival. They have signed former Real Madrid Castilla winger Franchu, who scored the winner on his ISL debut against Bengaluru FC.
“Hopefully, this carries on. It’s simple: you give everything in a relationship and, normally, you get it back. Football has a unique way of taking care of you if you take care of your work rate. That’s all we’re trying to do,” Westwood says.
But the tactician will know that slip-ups could cost the team heavily, especially in a truncated season where each team plays each other just once.
Kerala Blasters’ remaining matches:
Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United — April 15
Kerala Blasters vs Jamshedpur FC — April 18
Kerala Blasters vs Odisha FC — April 23
Kerala Blasters vs Mohammedan Sporting — May 10
Kerala Blasters vs FC Goa — May 23
Despite the win, the Blasters remain second from bottom, and losses from here, especially against bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting, could see the club struggle to stay afloat in the top flight this season.
“We won’t be in a relegation dogfight. That’s my belief, not an expectation. I’m confident in myself. . . There’s definitely an area for us to improve and get some wins. So, I’m not concerned about where they were. I’m just trying to look at where we might finish,” he says.
Bengaluru FC earned a place in Indian football discussions in its maiden season under Westwood. The Blasters, who had slipped out of that discourse with underwhelming results, will look to tread a similar path under the same man in the dugout.
#EXCLUSIVE #ISL #Ashley #Westwood #wizard #Bengaluru #eyes #similar #magic #Kerala #Blasters">EXCLUSIVE — ISL 2025-26: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters
Ashley Westwood is no stranger to Indian football.
He guided Bengaluru FC to the then top-flight title in his and the club’s first season in Indian professional football and won three trophies with the club, becoming a legend among its faithful.
Last month, the former Manchester United academy graduate returned to coaching duties in Indian football after four years, taking charge of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL).
“I was here from the start of the ISL when it was only a six-week league… and now it has developed into an eight to 10-month league. So, I’ve seen it all. It has had a tough time this last year. But like anything, it’s a work in progress, a process,” Westwood tells Sportstar in an exclusive interview.
Ashley Westwood’s success at Bengaluru FC wasn’t just about results, but two I-League titles and a Federation Cup gave it weight and permanence.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
Ashley Westwood’s success at Bengaluru FC wasn’t just about results, but two I-League titles and a Federation Cup gave it weight and permanence.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
Ashley Westwood’s record in Indian football:
Teams managed: Bengaluru FC, ATK, Punjab FC, Kerala Blasters
Total matches: 89
Wins: 46
Losses: 26
Draws: 17
Trophies: I-League x2 (2013-14, 2015-2016), Federation Cup (2014-15)
But unlike Bengaluru, he finds himself in a precarious position at Kerala Blasters.
The three-time ISL finalist has struggled for form this season, and with no wins in six matches, the Blasters parted ways with head coach David Catala, while their fan club, the Manjappada, boycotted matches citing mismanagement.
“Football is challenging anyway. Sometimes you get fortunate, and you go into a club mid-season because a coach has done well, and you take over a team at the top of the league, but that’s very rare,” Westwood says.
“Normally, if you go into a club halfway through a season, it’s because they’re not doing very well, because a manager has lost his job. Of course, with Bengaluru, it was a brand-new club. So, any challenge is good.”
Westwood opened his Blasters stint on a forgettable note, losing 0-2 to the newly formed Sporting Club Delhi. However, he found the perfect opportunity to respond against Bengaluru FC in the match that followed, which the Blasters won for their first victory of the season.
“I enjoy challenges. There’s lots of improvement to come, hopefully, and maybe we can do that. I’ve done it before in all the roles I’ve been in. So, I’m hoping to do the same again. Let’s see if we can keep improving things,” he says.
The Achilles heel of the Blue Tigers?
Team Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood (R) talks to Matthew Elliot Wing Kai Orr of Hong Kong (L) during the Asian Cup qualifier Group C match at Kai Tak Stadium on November 18, 2025, in Hong Kong, China.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Team Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood (R) talks to Matthew Elliot Wing Kai Orr of Hong Kong (L) during the Asian Cup qualifier Group C match at Kai Tak Stadium on November 18, 2025, in Hong Kong, China.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
There’s another side to Westwood beyond domestic football. He has managed two Asian sides, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Both pulled off significant upsets against India.
In 2024, India lost to Afghanistan on home soil for the second time ever, which turned out to be one of the last matches under coach Igor Stimac. A year later, Hong Kong beat India in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier. Manolo Marquez, who had stepped into Stimac’s shoes, parted ways shortly after.
So, is the Englishman a nemesis for India’s coaches?
“No, it’s certainly not a personal thing. Coincidence happens in football. With me, I try to win every game, whoever it is,” Westwood says.
“Predominantly, my record shows that I do win quite a few games, and unfortunately, a few of them have been against India. I don’t look at it as a scalp; I look at it as a game of football, and one that we won.”
It was no surprise that Westwood was among the names circulating in Indian football circles as a potential coach of the Blue Tigers, first after Stimac and then after Marquez.
“It’s (the question has) come around a lot of times. I’ve been close a lot of times. It hasn’t happened. I won’t comment on that particular job where they have a manager, of course,” he says. “But regardless of the job, I’ll concentrate on what I need to do, which is improve Kerala Blasters.”
Winds of change at Kerala Blasters
There have been signs of optimism in the Blasters camp since his arrival. They have signed former Real Madrid Castilla winger Franchu, who scored the winner on his ISL debut against Bengaluru FC.
“Hopefully, this carries on. It’s simple: you give everything in a relationship and, normally, you get it back. Football has a unique way of taking care of you if you take care of your work rate. That’s all we’re trying to do,” Westwood says.
But the tactician will know that slip-ups could cost the team heavily, especially in a truncated season where each team plays each other just once.
Kerala Blasters’ remai
Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United — April 14
Kerala Blasters vs Jamshedpur FC — April 18
Kerala Blasters vs Odisha FC — April 23
Kerala Blasters vs Mohammedan Sporting — May 10
Kerala Blasters vs FC Goa — May 23
Despite the win, the Blasters remain second from bottom, and losses from here, especially against bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting, could see the club struggle to stay afloat in the top flight this season.
“We won’t be in a relegation dogfight. That’s my belief, not an expectation. I’m confident in myself. . . There’s definitely an area for us to improve and get some wins. So, I’m not concerned about where they are. I’m just trying to look at where we might finish,” he says.
Bengaluru FC earned a place in Indian football discussions in its maiden season under Westwood. The Blasters, who had slipped out of that discourse with underwhelming results, will look to tread a similar path under the same man in the dugout.
“When a new coach comes, there’s a preconceived notion that everything has to change. But he has kept telling us that things are going to be different in future, but right now, it’s just some adjustments so that boys don’t feel overwhelmed.
“And I’ve told him that we are adaptable and we do exactly what the coach wants. If I do it, everyone will do it,” Chettri added.
For Westwood though, a lot has to change. The 49-year-old, who built his coaching career on the back of the three golden years at BFC from 2013 to 2016, was impressed with his team’s performance in the second half of the 0-2 reverse against Sporting Delhi last Sunday, and hoped to further that improvement.
“It is always difficult coming into a team midway through the season,” Westwood told Sportstar. “Most times, you come in because the manager before you has had poor results. But you have to instil some confidence and put some ideas in without overloading.”
The methodologies of the coaches differ too. After Westwood’s departure, BFC broke away from the Englishman’s template and appointed Albert Roca, who was schooled in the possession-heavy tactics of Barcelona. Munoz has the same lineage.
“Football is a game for the fans and my team should be able to create chances because that’s how supporters have fun,” Munoz said. “I come from Barca, and I like to manage the game with ball possession. I understand that that’s the only way to be closer to a win.”
“When a new coach comes, there’s a preconceived notion that everything has to change. But he has kept telling us that things are going to be different in future, but right now, it’s just some adjustments so that boys don’t feel overwhelmed.
“And I’ve told him that we are adaptable and we do exactly what the coach wants. If I do it, everyone will do it,” Chettri added.
For Westwood though, a lot has to change. The 49-year-old, who built his coaching career on the back of the three golden years at BFC from 2013 to 2016, was impressed with his team’s performance in the second half of the 0-2 reverse against Sporting Delhi last Sunday, and hoped to further that improvement.
“It is always difficult coming into a team midway through the season,” Westwood told Sportstar. “Most times, you come in because the manager before you has had poor results. But you have to instil some confidence and put some ideas in without overloading.”
The methodologies of the coaches differ too. After Westwood’s departure, BFC broke away from the Englishman’s template and appointed Albert Roca, who was schooled in the possession-heavy tactics of Barcelona. Munoz has the same lineage.
“Football is a game for the fans and my team should be able to create chances because that’s how supporters have fun,” Munoz said. “I come from Barca, and I like to manage the game with ball possession. I understand that that’s the only way to be closer to a win.”
Published on Apr 10, 2026
#ISL #managers #centrestage #BengaluruBlasters #clash">ISL 2025-26: New managers take centrestage in Bengaluru-Blasters clash
These are new tidings at both Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC, who will meet in a high-profile Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday.
Both have new managers in place. BFC will welcome Spaniard Pep Munoz to the dugout for the first time this season while Blasters will be marshalled by BFC old hand Ashley Westwood for only the second time.
But the fortunes of the respective teams couldn’t be more divergent. After seven games, BFC sits fourth in the table (14 points) while Blasters are languishing in 13th place (one) in the 14-team league. It’s a no-brainer which of the two camps is happier.
“I am always intrigued when some fresh ideas come in,” said BFC talisman Sunil Chhetri, while welcoming Munoz, on match-eve. “Especially when I’m 42, I need that!
“When a new coach comes, there’s a preconceived notion that everything has to change. But he has kept telling us that things are going to be different in future, but right now, it’s just some adjustments so that boys don’t feel overwhelmed.
“And I’ve told him that we are adaptable and we do exactly what the coach wants. If I do it, everyone will do it,” Chettri added.
For Westwood though, a lot has to change. The 49-year-old, who built his coaching career on the back of the three golden years at BFC from 2013 to 2016, was impressed with his team’s performance in the second half of the 0-2 reverse against Sporting Delhi last Sunday, and hoped to further that improvement.
“It is always difficult coming into a team midway through the season,” Westwood told Sportstar. “Most times, you come in because the manager before you has had poor results. But you have to instil some confidence and put some ideas in without overloading.”
The methodologies of the coaches differ too. After Westwood’s departure, BFC broke away from the Englishman’s template and appointed Albert Roca, who was schooled in the possession-heavy tactics of Barcelona. Munoz has the same lineage.
“Football is a game for the fans and my team should be able to create chances because that’s how supporters have fun,” Munoz said. “I come from Barca, and I like to manage the game with ball possession. I understand that that’s the only way to be closer to a win.”
#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #completes #signing #Argentine #winger #Franchu">ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters FC completes signing of Argentine winger Franchu
Kerala Blasters FC has completed the signing of Argentine winger Francisco Feuillassier Abalo, widely known as Franchu, as part of the club’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad.
The 27-year-old arrives with experience across multiple European leagues, having developed through the youth systems of Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Franchu began his development in Spain and was part of the youth setup at Real Madrid Castilla.
He went on to build his senior career with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, CF Fuenlabrada, SD Eibar, and FC Cartagena, featuring across LaLiga SmartBank and other competitive divisions. His most recent stint came with Karmiotissa FC in Cyprus.
Primarily operating as a winger, Franchu is capable of playing on both flanks and offers versatility across the attacking line. He is recognised for his close control and ability to carry the ball into advanced areas, adding a dynamic option in wide positions.
Franchu has already linked up with the squad in Kochi.
